The Tejada Dust Settles
I’m still conflicted about whether or not bringing back Miguel Tejada was the right move. I know — as I said before — that I don’t hate it. I’m still not sure if I like it.
Seems sensible to run down some pros and cons, right?
Pros
- Miggles can still hit. Bringing him in immediately improves the offense. That means both more runs scored and more protection in the lineup for the other hitters.
- He’s not blocking anybody. A one-year deal means that the Josh Bell plan is still in effect, provided the kid proves he’s ready. I’m not concerned about Atkins going to first and potentially taking at-bats away from Aubrey or Snyder. Or anybody else. Let those guys get some seasoning and prove their worth. If/when they do, that’s a good problem to have. In the meantime we have two legit (if unspectacular) veterans at the corners.
- The team seems to like him. For everything I’ve said about the atmosphere surrounding Tejada when he left, the only thing that matters is the clubhouse. If Trembley and the players welcome him back then who am I to contradict that?
Cons
- It’s strictly short-term. We have to hope Tejada makes a meaningful impact, otherwise this deal is a waste. That’s a big risk for a rebuilding team.
- He’s a wild card. Going back to what I said before: he left under bad circumstances. If he’s returning with full knowledge that he’s a role player and not a team leader, great. Color me skeptical on that. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt but I worry that he’ll become a problem at some point. It’d be silly to ignore that possibility, wouldn’t it?
- He’s switching positions. Nobody knows what kind of defense he’s going to play at 3B. I suspect it’ll be decent enough, but what if it’s not?
I think more than anything this move is interesting. It’s atypical for Andy MacPhail in that it involves higher risk than we’ve come to expect. Is this a sign that Phase Two is not only underway, but that the ground rules have been altered to accommodate a new reality? It seems that way. And if I’m right about that, it’s a good sign going forward.
Meanwhile, I’m warming up to the idea of Miggles at third. It could blow up in our faces, sure, but so what? Let’s win a few more games on the way there.
Speaking of Tejada, I just got an email from the O’s that said they’re holding a press conference at 3 pm today. No other information is offered but I have to believe this is where they’ll formally announce the signing.
Those are certainly all the pros and cons. The thing is, though, if he does become a problem at some point in the season, and for whatever reason you can’t trade him, you can just waive him. $6M is a good amount of scratch, but it’s not so bad that if he’s a disruption you can’t send him on his way and bring up Josh Bell.
Also, he’s GOT to be able to play 3rd as well as Wigginton and Huff, right? I mean, the guy was a hell of a shortstop for a good long time, and he’s got the arm. I expect him to have some errors and range issues, but it’s hard for me to imagine it being a total disaster. If he hits, I suspect we’ll take some occasionally shoddy D.
I think his hitting acumen is a little overstated. Yes, he’s better than our internal options. Yes, he’s better than most of the other options that were out there on the free agent market in terms of hitting third basemen (I’d bet that only Figgins and Glaus best him in 2010)…but in the end he’ll hit at like a 105ish OPS+.
I mean, that’s pretty solid as a stopgap, but probably won’t be enough to get anything for him (though you never know, what with his star power), and of course there’s a lot of risk with bringing him back. But whatever, it’ll be fun to have Tejada back. Star power and whatnot.
@Andrew – I agree on the overstatement thing. For example in 2007, he hit only 19 doubles for the O’s I think, but in Houston he goes and hits 46 or whatever. There were also a couple years where he was under 70RBI I think. So you don’t always know what you’re going to get with Miggles. (hehe) But you know he probably won’t have an ’09 Mora/Huff year. That much we can probably count on.
neal – great call on the bigger picture implications of this move i.e. it being very un-macphail (well at least the phase 1 macphail we’ve seen).
i hadn’t thought of it from that perspective, but i see what you’re saying. i think the mos interesting thing this season will be that aspect. seeing if DT really DOES “drop the hammer” and if machphail actually starts getting more risky/agressive in the moves he makes…as well as holding DT’s feet to the fire.
@ryan97ou – I thought about this move a lot and I really think that’s the salient point here. It’s a “win now” move, albeit one made very carefully so as not to compromise the future. Whether that’s good or bad is still debatable, but it’s definitely different.
@Andrew – Yeah, this to me is a big concern with Tejada. He can hit…singles and (maybe) doubles. He\’s not going to walk or hit more than 15 home runs. That being said, if he bats .280-.300 with an OBP near .325, that\’s probably more than we were getting from any other FA. Of course, Schmuck thinks we should\’ve traded for Kouzmanoff (rolls eyes).
I disagree with the idea that this is MacPhail being aggressive and in “win now” mode. He has signed two stopgap players, a reliever, and picked up a low-risk, medium-reward guy. I mean, that’s definitely not “winning now” and it’s not being particularly aggressive with the market. Which is cool, because the Orioles aren’t there yet and MacPhail is always going to be a conservative guy. But don’t try to write it as something that it isn’t.
@Andrew – I don’t think I ever used the word “aggressive”, did I?
Setting aside whether or not you like the moves, the fact is that by making them he’s exhibiting shifting tendencies. If we were still strictly in rebuilding mode then the in-house options would have been front-and-center. Instead, MacPhail went out and found guys who would, theoretically, boost the win total while we wait for the next wave of prospects to mature.
It’s not even like I’m out on a limb with that — it’s essentially what he said he would do at the end of ’09.
So, right, you don’t dig the moves. Fair enough. Right now I’m interested in why they were made, and I believe the reason is specifically to make this team more competitive in 2010. That’s a different modus operandi than the one we had last year and the year before. It’s worth noting.
@neal s – Actually, I’m okay with two of them, dislike one of them, and hate one. I’ve come around a bit.
This isn’t about liking the moves or not. This is about what the moves are, and that is stopgaps. Nobody acquired this winter will be around in 2011 except for Gonzalez. So they are to bridge the gap between what we already have (which is underwhelming) and what we’re waiting for (Arrieta/Bell/Snyder).
It’s really, in my mind, not so different from picking up Adam Eaton and Gregg Zaun last winter. The quality of the players are better this year, but the intent remains identical.
The Tejada and Atkins are low-risk moves that have plans B and C in the event they go completely awry.
What if Tejada hits really well, Crowley makes him take some walks and drives in 100 RBIs? Great. Tejada is happy, Baltimore is happy, Miggy likely retires an Oriole because he’s happy here. If he flops, Atkins and Wigginton can slide over to third and play adequately there. No sweat. Even better, Josh Bell pushes his way onto the team and we get to see another Oriole’s rising star.
What if Atkins returns to form? He could hit 25 home runs and be a legitimate 3-6 guy on this team. He would fit well at first while keeping it warm for Snyder. If he sucks, put Wigginton or Scott there and hope Snyder does well enough in Norfolk to push his way onto the team.
For once, the Orioles are not hamstrung by these moves. They are one year deals based upon the hope that a change of scenery would make once great players great again. If not, it’s not like we don’t have someone with a thumb to plug the leak.
Can I escalate the nickname “Miggles” to “Mr. Migglesworth”? Or is that too 1997?
As a placeholder move, I like it, provided that it doesn’t turn into a Harold Baines/Rafael Palmiero/BJ Surhoff/Jeff Conine situation where the one year return engagement turns into year after year of “Well, it’s February, nothing better is remotely on the horizon, guess we’d better resign Mr. Migglesworth.”
Mr. Migglesworth. Anyone? Anyone?
@Andrew – I see what you’re saying. I think, though, that the quality of the players shouldn’t be so readily dismissed. Eaton and Zaun were scrap heap guys, nothing more than warm bodies. All four major additions this offseason are legitimate. Not top-tier, certainly, but legit.
I think what I’m getting at is that there are stopgaps and there are stopgaps. Just because a guy is only here for a short-term engagement doesn’t mean his talent level is irrelevant.
@neal s – True enough. I’m definitely happy to see the Orioles targeting Kevin Millwood instead of Adam Eaton.
But, come on, nobody can argue that Garret Atkins isn’t a scrap-heap investment.
Everyone can argue that Garrett Atkins isn’t a scrap heap investment. Are you kidding? There are tons of replacement level or worse third baseman available for the taking. Atkins has a pretty decent history of hitting and isn’t ridiculously old.
@Greg – Too bad he’s a first baseman who has the following OPS+es since 2007:
113, 96, 66
And then he was released and the Rockies ate a ton of money.
I mean, that is literally buying low, off the scrap heap.
This.
The difference between these moves and past stopgap moves is the presence of at least adequate depth. We acquired Wigginton for just this scenario, and there’s depth past him as well.
It’s not really “win now”. It’s more like “try to get to .500 while we wait for a few more guys”. Breaking the streak isn’t the ultimate goal, but it’s not unimportant, either.
@dan the man – Heh…by “win now” I actually meant get to .500 or close. I should have clarified that, because in retrospect it’s pretty funny to equate that phrase with those results.
@neal s – Well that is a horse of a different color. It’s hard to look at the offseason as a whole and not think that this is MacPhail’s goal for 2010. So, I take it back and agree with your estimation.
Although I find that to be a debatable goal to have indeed.
@Miles – I think in formal settings Mr. Migglesworth would be acceptable, but it seems too stuffy for day-to-day use. Plus just look at him — that face practically screams “Miggles!”
Best thing about Miggles… the return of silly handshakes and “the spotlight”? I did see the spotlight used on rare occasions last season primarily by Mora and Roberts, but it’s sure to be more prominent.
Watching the press conference live on the MASN website now. No sound on my work computer, but it just makes you smile and shake your head seeing him in an O’s cap again.
Hang on for the Miggles ride… it’s going to be equal parts exciting/funny/frustrating/confusing.
In re: to Miggles’ attitude, maybe it has changed due to the pretty serious events he went through in his life the past couple of years. The whole birth certificate and steroids saga, his brother dying in a car accident back in The Dominican, and his going to Haiti to actually physically help from the earthquake aftermath.
Maybe all of that has helped him sober up a bit and look at life on a grander scale than himself?
I know “Wiggles” (Wigginton) is not the right move now but if he ever signs with another team and re-signs here it’s the only move. In your minds eye, picture him running the bases and than dare tell me I’m wrong.
Wiggles…lol.
Alright, what’s everyone’s lineup? I like this one:
Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Reimold
Tejada
Wieters
Scott
Atkins
Izturis
I guess the better question is.. who do you like in the 2 and 4 holes? Those seem to be the most debatable positions. All I know is that I like Roberts 1st, Miggles 5th, and Atkins and Izturis at the bottom.
@dan the man – I don’t think the lineup construction matters, really, but if I were in charge I go with:
Roberts
Markakis
Wieters
Reimold
Jones
Scott
Tejada
Atkins
Izturis
Markakis is our bestest on-base hitter, so he should go second, and Reimold is our bestest power hitter, so he should go 4th.
Hrm. We could probably use more power in that lineup.
Yeah actually that’s my favorite right there, but I think I just sort of know that there’s no way Markakis isn’t batting 3rd, you know? Which annoys the crap out of me, but hey.
Thank God we got rid of DCab Lite aka Sarfate. How odd is it that he’s the player we got for Tejada and is the player we are getting rid of for Tejada?
@dan/andrew – I think this might be a version of the lineup we end up seeing:
Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Weiters
Tejada
Reimold/Scott
Pie/Scott
Atkins
Izturis
I know everyone sees Pie in the lineup and sighs – but….he did finish the year alot stronger than he started and though he’s not a graceful player does have better range in the outfield and brings some speed to the bases. I think we will probably see alot of rotation with Scott/Pie/Reimold for playing time. Weiters is ready for the middle of the lineup and having Tejada behind him offers protection. Atkins could move up in the lineup but only if he can find his swing from 2 yrs ago(.301/25/111).
Hendo supposedly signed today. Hooray.
@Greg – I don’t really know if I agree on the DFA of Sarfate, to be honest. I mean, Alberto Castillo and Armando Gabino (who?) deserve to be on the 40-man roster more than Sarfate, who reportedly is healthy and throwing heat again? Sure his command was off, but he really only got one full year here with some decent results. I guess I just don’t understand why he’s less valuable than these other guys. If it’s one thing about Andy that I’ll criticize at times, it’s these little roster decisions. Steve Johnson, Sarfate, Chris Gomez, etc. I guess they figure if he really isn’t in their plans this year, they better do it now so he hooks on with another team. It won’t matter in the end, it’s just curious to me.
Good news on Hendo. Our bullpen, on paper, should be mostly solid.
Presenting… HENDO THE MAGNIFICENT!
Andrew, your boy Vito.
http://masnsports.com/2010/01/not-drafted-but-not-forgotten.html
@dan the man – Eh, as soon as Gonzalez was brought in, Sarfate was as good as gone. The bullpen looks like this:
Gonzalez
Johnson
Uehara
Hendrickson
Meredith
Mickolio
Albers/Lebron/Castillo/bring in another lefty like Joe Beimel
And all of those guys can be more useful than another right-handed guy who can’t find the strikezone half the time.
@Andrew – Yeah, I dig it. Apparently the O’s made a minor league offer and invite to lefty Will Ohman, who was injured basically all of last year. If healthy, he’d be solid. Don’t know if he accepted the offer though.
Big year for Mickolio. At times he was dominant, other times he was getting knocked around. Easiest damn 95mph I’ve ever seen someone throw in a while, though.
Yo Miles (I think it was you that mentioned this), is this that Bergesen spot you were talking about? I don’t have sound on my work computer, but I’m pumped just watching it.
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7150905&c_id=bal
Similarly, even though he’s still technically around, Michael Aubrey was gone as soon as Tejada signed.
That 3E1N commercial is light years beyond the “defining moment” bits from last season. I don’t even live anywhere near where I could see them regularly on the tv and I couldn’t stand them.
@dan the man – I think it’s awesome that his nickname is “Hollywood”. I think I’m just going to call him that from now on.
@Andrew – I think there’s going to be Jones and Wieters commercials, too. I’m excited.
@dan the man – Yeah, that’s the spot.
Totally bad ass.
Can’t wait for the Berger Cookie to take the mound in April.
Vito gives off wayyyyyyy too much of a Sir Sidney/Matt Riley vibe to me.
How many times was Matt Riley reformed and grown up, only to do dumb sh*t again?
@Miles – Definitely got the Jersey Shore vibe, for whatever reason. ‘Ey Vito! Don’t talk back to ya motha!
Wow, Dan, I don’t know how I didn’t see that Hollywood Vito business sooner. Good stuff.
Our Boy Vito clearly has more than just a lot to prove in terms of attitude, stuff, durability, and so on…but those Bluefield numbers are just salivatingly good. I’m looking forward to getting down and seeing him if he starts in Salisbury (since Bluefield is like two weeks drive from nowhere).
Keith Law’s opus is out (finally). No huge surprises for us, the Orioles have four players on the list:
Matusz at 11
Britton at 25
Bell at 61
Arrieta at 90
Of course, Keith is one of the more optimistic scouts when it comes to those guys, but it makes sense that he’d put the Orioles’ farm system at #6 based on that top echelon of talent
That Vito story is amazing. I’m pulling for the kid without reservation.
I hear what you’re saying, Miles, but one big difference is that this kid isn’t carrying around the weight of expectations. Nobody’s looking at him to swoop in and stabilize the rotation, you know?
With the acquisitions of Atkins and Tejada, Baltimore now must let Wigginton go. He deserves a chance to start somewhere. For two reasons: One, he has never complained and has always been a team player. Two, His numbers, when projected over a full season are solid. The three season’s that he has been given a position to play full time are respectable numbers. Ownership and Trembly have not been fair to this “gamer”. Watch him report this year in the best shape of his life because he wants to be taken seriously. Baltimore should save money and cut him loose; his spot can go to one of the younger players and Wiggy can take his worth to some team that’ll respect his efforts.
@TyBallgame – Pretty sure this is a joke…but it’s just so close to being “not a joke” that it’s either incredibly brilliant or incredibly pathetic. I’ll go with the optimistic view and salute you, sir. You have me all in knots.